Southampton Banter Archive January 26 2014

26 Jan 2014 19:15:27
Ironic, most of you guys are the same posters who during the last window were quoting that we needed to buy a quality striker as J-Rod wasn't a premier league player and should head back to the championship. Months later he has blossomed into a quality striker, capped internationally and courted by top four sides. Now you're laying into Osvaldo, give him a chance, trust in the staff at St Marys. I personally think we have a great squad, we struggled when Boruc and Davies were out on had to rely on an inexperienced third choice keeper in Gazanigga. I believe that we also struggle when having to include Jos Hoiveldt as he is a bit of a donkey, but again he's our fourth choice central defender and with our wage structure its difficult to have quality depth who only play if others are injured. I doubt any signings will happen, in or out this window, we'll gain the magic 40pts very soon and perhaps play without pressure and have a good look at who we need to be trading in and out during the summer. I hope MP stays as our success this season has been down to the style of play. High pressing football, power possession, Saints are tactically in the best shape we've been in for decades, this along with our awesome academy system is how we are similar to Barca. Its not about money, individuals but all about playing style. We will slowly continue to impress under MP and I think that as long as he stays we will attract more decent signings in the summer who will be party to our new tactical ethos and also bring on academy players who will fit this system. The only signing we need to make between now and summer is MP, a new, longer contract.

Saint Andrew

Exactly, all these who are winging about Osvaldo and Ramirez have pretty short memories. Lallana, J-Rod and Boruc weren't prem standard according to them last season, now they're probably our 3 best players this season. Give them time and they'll be a great players for us and then, next season, you can have a good old moan about whoever we buy then, cause no doubt, your expectations will be too high, again.

Gazza and Hooiveld, for being 3rd and 4th choice haven't done badly, we aren't in a position to have 3 or 4 top quality players in every position like some people on here think we should have, despite us being a Championship side 2 years ago and League 1 the year before that, quality squads take time to get, be patient and we'll get there, but, for where we are now, Gazza, Yoshida and Hooiveld ARE good enough for 3rd and 4th choice

I believe MoPo will stay, unless something drastic happens between him and KL and the backing is still there to achieve what he wants then he has no reason to leave

We're 9 (?) points clear of 10th place in the league and we all have to play the same teams as each other, so realistically there's only a very small chance of us dropping out of the top half, this is the best Saints team i've seen in my lifetime, decent top half finish, good chance to win the FA Cup, a fantastic academy churning out 3/4 top quality players a year, there's no real reason to moan, be happy with the progress we've made over the last 4/5 years and enjoy being the envy of UK football

Re Osvaldo, what the heck is there to like about him? He's a duffer, you must be blind, deaf and dumb if you think anything different

Really? there's loads to like about him, he's a fantastic player you don't average a goal every 2 games for the last three seasons in the spanish and italian top divisions if you're not. you must be blind, deaf and dumb if you think any different.

He certainly hasn't averaged a goal every two games in the premier league and that's when he's not been suspended!
But yeh he's fantastic, skilful, popular with the rest of the squad, an example to young players and fans, a brilliant pro.
or just a self centred prima dona who we paid too much for, is damaged goods and we'll have to take on loss on when we show him the door after just half a season, of which how many games did he actually appear in?

Yes, but the prem is notorious for being difficult to get used to with the pace and phisicallity of the division, that is why defensive players take to the prem much quicker than attacking players. Give the man time and you'll see why he's worth more than 12 mil.

Who gives a stuff what he's like? It's not your job to worry about. Apart from the Fonte incident he's done nothing wrong, and who knows maybe Fonte was in the wrong too, just because he's popular doesn't mean he isn't in the wrong. The suspension after the newcastle game was harsh and given to be a warning to other players. Worrying about a players private life is pathetic and is the same as not buying a band's CD just because you think the singers a bit of an person. And just fyi, he's averaged a goal every 3 in the prem so far, better than that actually as he hasn't played every minute of the 12 games he's played in.

26 Jan 2014 11:51:49
SUNDAY MIRROR: Chelsea will sell Romelu Lukaku this summer to help fund a record move for Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani
Mopo need to talk to your mate at Chelsea?
Can think of a better replacement for Danny Osvaldo!8

£23m if we get him on Pochettino's double training program and build his fitness up to are standard! who know how good he could be?
Fantastic replacement for Danny?
Yes please!!

I expect he'll stay at Everton

He should be the replacemt for lambert ashe next year obviously won't be playing ad may leave so lukaku and jayod upfront or me sell osvaldand get vela and play 4-3-3

Gallagher is a long term replacement for Lambert. Lukaku would be great, but I doubt we're going to spend 50+ million on a CB, AMF and Lukaku in one window